Vitamin C Serum: Should You Use It in the Morning or at Night?
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Vitamin C is one of the most popular serums in skincare. A common question is whether to use it in the morning or at night. Both are fine, but there is a reason many people reach for it in the morning.
Why mornings make sense
Vitamin C is best known as an antioxidant. A review in Nutrients describes its role in protecting skin against UV-induced free radical damage, as well as supporting collagen synthesis (Pullar et al., 2017, PMID 28805671). Antioxidant support is most useful during the day, when skin meets sunlight and pollution, which is why a morning vitamin C followed by sunscreen is a sensible pairing.
Vitamin C does not replace sunscreen
An antioxidant works alongside sun protection, not instead of it. Daily broad spectrum SPF remains the priority. A randomised trial found that regular sunscreen use slowed visible skin ageing compared with occasional use (Hughes et al., 2013, PMID 23732711). Apply vitamin C after cleansing, let it settle, then moisturiser, then sunscreen as your final morning step.
Can you use it at night instead?
Yes. If your evenings are simpler or you prefer to keep your morning short, vitamin C at night is perfectly reasonable. Some people use it in the morning and save stronger actives like retinoids for the evening. The best routine is the one you will actually keep up.
We explain where it fits among your other steps in our guide to the order to apply your skincare. At Verdo we stock vitamin C options including Medik8 C-Tetra and Pure Fiji's Kakadu vitamin C range, and our Parnell team can help you choose.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational context. Individual results vary. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before changing your skincare routine. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products or services mentioned.
